Results 2,841-2,860 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: These are choices the Government can make. If the Minister of State believes in free education, it is not good enough to say, "I believe in free education, but..." If the Government believes in free education, it should put the money into the system. At this stage in the game no one in Ireland is going to be bought off with the idea of tax cuts; what they want is service provision. I want...

Seanad: Equality of Access to Education: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The folder under the arm of a student is such a powerful symbol for the family and everyone in the community of what that student is doing and learning and how he or she is being empowered through life. I put it to the Minister of State that the last thing a student needs, aside from a folder under the arm, is anxiety about how he or she will pay for education in the future. Instead, a...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am delighted to say the Labour Party will, of course, support the Bill, but it would be a derogation of duty if we in this House did not at least make some comment on the rushed nature of the Bill. I take exception to any accusation that we are being reckless in asking questions about the lateness of the Bill. Having said that, I was interested in the comments made by the previous speaker...

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Jul 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: They reminded me of the first international game I attended as a ten year old in 1987 with my father who never thought he would set foot in Lansdowne Road, which was interesting. It was a soccer game between Ireland and Brazil and the person who scored the winning goal was somebody who had once been expelled from the school in which my father had taught for choosing soccer over Gaelic games....

Seanad: Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Where is Senator Ó Donnaghaile's principle?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I inquire about the status of the School Admissions Bill. On the anniversary of publication of its school admissions Bill to deal with the baptism barrier, the Labour Party is dependent on the Government to allow Government time to allow the Bill to proceed. It is not offering a perfect solution in dealing with the baptism barrier, but it would prioritise geography over religion in school...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I wish, if I may, to strike a celebratory note, particularly as this is Pride week. While we can often be very critical of the country in which we live, this week we can, in the context of various issues, take stock of the huge advances that have taken place in the past 25 years, not least thanks to the gentleman sitting right in front of me, Senator Norris.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I watched a programme on RTE last night, "A Different Country" which went through the personal stories of people who lived in Ireland before homosexuality was decriminalised. Many of them had quite moving tales to tell. We have made great advances in recent years - from marriage equality to the Children and Family Relationships Act, the amendment of section 37 of the Employment Equality...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: If they actually paid tax, that would be nice.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It is extremely fitting that Limerick has been mentioned in the previous contribution. I do welcome the fact that the University of Limerick has announced it will be a sanctuary university. It is UN World Refugee Day. However, I wish to raise an issue which perhaps the Taoiseach himself could come into the Chamber to discuss, namely, the comments made by a Fine Gael councillor in Limerick,...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Hold on, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: This is the era of new politics. We now have a new Taoiseach who, in the context of the person that he is and his background-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: -----for many people represents a new opportunity for this country. We have five appointees to positions as Ministers of State not one of whom is a woman. We also have a councillor in Limerick making racist comments. This individual is due to be Mayor of Limerick and there is absolutely no word from the Taoiseach on the matter. I would like to discuss the-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: -----comments made by this individual at a public forum in Limerick over which he is standing. These were anti-immigrant and racist comments-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ----and on this of all days we have to call him out.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I want to know what the Leader believes the response of his party and the Taoiseach should be-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: -----to a councillor who is making racist and anti-immigrant comments.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Is he welcome in Fine Gael and should he be Mayor of Limerick?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It is about allowing people to have their say.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jun 2017)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: "A major drain on the State."